Outlet-box construction



1929- G. c. THOMAS, JR ,73

OUTLET BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 24; 1923 Ol ZZZQ Q21 Wm 1- g llflllllllllllml 24 v my a 2% m a? ,4 4 f If Q Zfl/ Patented 'Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE G. THOMAS, JR., OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE THOMAS A? BETTS 00., 01' ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A. CORPORATION OI NEWv JERSEY OUTLET-BOX consrnocrron Application filed February 24, 1928. Serial 110. 620,905.

My invention relates to outlet box construction and more particularly to the construction of outlet boxes of the gangable t e. 5 The objects of my invention include the provision of an outlet box of the gangable type and one which may readily and easily be enlarged or reduced to accommodate di ferent numbers of electrical conduits. Another object of my invention is to provide a construction which permits boxes of various capacities to be built up of interchangeable units or sections, and to provide sturdy and durable means whereby the several box units, when assembled, are held together rigidly and firmly and at the same time permitting ready and easy assembly and separation of the units, with little manipulation being necessary and without requiring the tamping or cutting oi rivets or the bending or distortion of the parts. Another object of my invention is to provide a sectional, gangable outlet box, which is strong and durable in its entirety and in all of its sections, and at the same time is of simple and inexpensive construction. A further ob- 'ect of my invention is to provide an outlet ox having means which are adjustable readily and easily for attaching the box in various positions to a wall or the like. A further object of my invention is to provide a construction which conserves material. I Other objects of my invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a plurality of box units which may be used interchangeably for the construction of outlet boxes'of various sizes. In one embodiment of my invention these units comprise '7 body sections, end pieces, coupling members and. attachment plates. Each body section is suitably shaped so as to provide the entire bottom and both sides of an assembled box of small size, and also adapted to constitute' a portion of the bottom and sides of a larger box. These sections may be either curved or angular in accordance with the particular. design of box desired. .Each end piece is adapted to constitute one end of an assembled box. Each coupling member is adapted to engage at one side of an assembled box, elther with two adjacent body sections or w1th a body section and an adjacent end piece. Each attachment plate is adapted to be associated adjustably with one side of a, body section, preferably on the outside. Means are provided which are adjustable into or out of interlocking engagement with the various. sections whereby they may be detachably joined together, and cooperating means, also adjustable, are provided whereby a the joining means may be brought into firmer interlocking relation with the various units and are locked in such position, and whereby the joining means may be loosened and freed for manipulation and adjustment out of interlocking engagement to permit the box to be knocked down. Preferably the interlocking means comprise coo erating tongues and hooks formed integra ly on various box units adapted to cooperate with slots and notches provided in other boxunits. The adjustable locking means referred to preferably consist of adjustable screws carried on certain of the box units.

In order that a clearer-understanding of my invention may be had, attention is hereby directed to theaccompanying drawing forming a part of this application and illustrating one possible embodiment of my invention. Referring to the drawing Fig. 1 is a top elevation of an outlet box embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the various box unitsshown separated from each other. Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the box units are preferably struck up from sheet metal, but obviously may be cast or may be otherwise formed of metal or other material as desired. These units comprise body sections 1, each having a bottom portion 2 and two identical opposite side portions 3; identical end pieces 4; identical coupling members 5.; and identical attachment lates 6. Each coupling 5 is adapted detac ably to engage either with two adjacent body sides 3 or with a body side 3 and with an end piece 4, to

tend through a slot 10 provided therefor in each end piece 4, near one side edge, and to hook against the outside of piece 4, or to extend through a similar slot 11 provided therefor in each body side 3, near one side edge, and to hook against the outside thereof. At the opposite edge from slot 10 each end piece 4 is provided with an integral,

vertical, angular, offset tongue 12 having at its end a downwardly projecting tab 13 constituting a hook. Tongue 12 is adapted to fit slot 11 in each body side 3, and by canting or tilting piece 4, hook 13 may be hooked or unhooked from against the outside of such body side.

Each attachment piece 6 has the usual flange 14 adapted to e secured to a wall or the like for attaching the outlet box thereto, and also has a flat body flange 15 which is adapted to be secured in adjusted position to the outside of abody side3by means of notches 16 along each edge of flange 15, the notchesbeing adapted to be engaged selectively at one edge of flange 15 by a hook 7 of a coupling 5 and at the other edge by the shank or head of a screw 17 which extends through a notch 18 provided therefor in each body side 3 and is in threaded engagement within a hole 19 provided therefor in each coupling 5.

It is never necessary to detach a coupling 5 from a. body side 3, since the loosening of screws 17 without removing them from the couplings permits of suflicient play of the units to permit them to be separated or placed together and the attachment plate to be adjusted or reversed. Obviously With the above sections a box may be constructed with only'one body section, in which case an end piece is attached to each end of the body section by inserting hook 13 and tongue 12 of each end piece 4 through a slot 11, inserting tongue of each coupling 5 through a slot 10 and tightening each screw 17 to seat these tongues more firmly in the slots and to lock the parts in interlocking position.

When a larger box is desired, two or more body sections 1 are ganged together by interengaging tongues 9 of coupling piece 5 with slots 11 of adjacent body sections and tightening the corresponding screws 17. To give better bearing to the head of screw 17, the body sides 3 are brought out as at 18' along slot 11 so that the surface will be flush with the surface of flange 15 of attachment plate 6 against which the head of screw 17 bears also. (See Fig. 2.)

Preferably each edge of the bottom portion 2 of the body sections is provided with an undercut notch 19, each adaptedto receive a lug 20 provided on the lower edge of each end piece 4 whereby such edge and bottom portion are prevented from separating when the box is assembled.

When the screw 17 is loosened, the corresponding attachment plate 6 may be removed and replaced with its'flange 14 above or below flange 15 and any notch 16 engaged with hook 7 of the adjacent coupling 5, and by tightening this screw 17, such plate 6 may be locked in the adjusted position.

It will be noted that instead of providing tabs or ears 21, for attaching a cover (not shown), integrally on the body sections as is customary, these tabs 21, of the conventional form, are provided integrally on the couplings 5, the body sections bein notched as at 22, and the attachment plates eing notched as at 23 to permit these tabs 21 to seat flush with the edge of the body sections. The interlocking of these tabs and recesses tend to hold the several parts in roper register and against displacement. lso by providing the tabs 21 in this manner, the waste of material in cutting away the material along the upper edges of the body sections to produce the tabs, as has been customary, is eliminated. Material is also conserved by providing a body section having straight side edges instead of having edges with lugs or flanges as is the case with most commercial types now in extensive use.

The simplicity of manipulation will be apparent from the above description, but it may be noted that to assemble or knock down a box it is necessary to adjust only two screws for each body section incorporated.

The body sections 2 and end pieces 4 are preferably provided with suitable knock-outs or openings 24 for conduits or the like (not shown). Also the body sections may be suitably tapped or perforated as at 25, for attachment purposes or to receive conduit clamping devices (not shown).

As many changes could be made in the above construction and as many different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I What I claim is 1. In outlet box construction, in combination,'a body section having a bottom, opposite side walls and open ends, a couplin on the inside of one of the side walls and having a securing tongue projecting beyond a side edge thereof, and-means for removably securing the coupling to the body section, said means includin a hook at one end of the coupling removab e and slidably engaging within a slot in the bod section, and a screw on aging the body section and coupling towar its other end, the shank'of-said screw seating in an open notch in the'body section, permitting removal of the coupling with the screw engaged therewith from the body section.

2. In outlet box construction, in combination, a body section, an end piece having a perforation, a coupling movably mounted on the inside of a side wall of the body section and having a tongue removably engageable in said perforation in the end plece, an attachment plate positioned outside of said body section, a hook element on said coupling adapted to removably engage said attachment plate, and means for moving the couplin 4 with respect to the body section to place sai tongue into and out of clamping en agement with said end piece, whereby the b0 y section attachment plate and end piece may be detachably secured together.

3. In outlet box construction, in' combination, a body section, an end piece having a perforation, a coupling movably mounted on the inside of a side wall of the body section and having a tongue removably engageable in said perforation in the end piece, and means for displacing the coupling with respect to the body section to place said tongue into and out of clamping engagement with said end piece, whereby the body section and end piece may be detachably secured together, said means includinga hook at one end of the coupling slidably engaging within a perforation in the body section, whereby this coupling is removably secured to the body section, and a screw engaging. the body section and coupling toward its other end.

4. In outlet box construction, in combination, two adjacent body sections, each having opposite side walls and open ends, and a coupling mounted on the inside of one side wall of one body ssection, and a coupling mounted on the inside of the opposite side wall of the other body section, each couplin having a securing tongue proj ectin beyon a side edge thereof so as to overlap t e side wall of the adjacent body section, each coupling being engageable with the adjacent body section side wall and being movable on the section on which it is mounted, into positions placing the tongue in and out of securing position with respect to the other body member, to couple and uncouple said members together at both sides while the coupling remains in mounted position an attachment plate positioned outside of said body section and opposite each coupling, and a hook element on said coupling adapted to removably engage said attachment plate. I

5. In outlet box construction, in combination, a body section having a bottom, opposite side walls and open ends, a coupling on the inside of one of the side walls and having in securing tongue projecting beyond a side edge of said body section, and means for removably securing the coupling to the body section, said means including a hook at one end of the-coupling slidably engaging within a slot in the body section side wall, whereby said coupling end is removably held against the side wall, and a screw engaging the side wall and coupling toward its other end whereby the ot or end of the coupling is held on the side wall for displacement relatively thereto.

' 6. In outlet box construction, in-combination, a body section having opposite side .walls and open at its ends, and a coupling secured to a side wall of the body section, means moving said coupling into and out of securing position, said coupling having a straight, flat body portion disposed against the inside of the body section side wall and having a portion displaced at an angle to the coupling "I bod portion, extending beyond a side edge of the body section side wall and directed toward the outside thereof, an attachment plate positioned outside of said body section and opposite said coupling, and a hook element on said coupling adapted to removably engage said attachment plate.

7. In a gangable outlet box, in combination, a body section, a coupling member, an attachment plate having notches at the ends thereof, and means common to said plate and coupling adapted to engage the notches in said plate to removably secure said coupling and said attachment plate to said body sec tion.

8. In a gangable outlet box, in combination, a body section, a coupling member, an attachment plate, and means to removably secure said coupling member and said attachment plate to said body section, comprising a screw in threaded engagement with said coupling member, and in frictional engageinent with said body member and said attachment plate, and a hook on said coupling member removably engaging said body member and attachment plate.

9. In outlet box construction, in combination, a body section having a bottom, opposite side walls and open ends, acoupling member mounted on one side of one of the side walls and having a securing tongue projecting beyond a side edge thereof, an attachment plate positioned on the other side of said body section opposite said coupling member and means operative to hold said coupling and attachment member at all times in mounted position and to move the coupling relatively to the body section side wall to place said tongue into and out of securing position.

10. In outlet'box construction, in combination, a body section having a bottom, opposite side walls and open ends, a coupling member mounted on one side of one of the side walls and having a tongue projecting beyond a side edge thereof, an attachment plate positioned on the other side of said body 5 section opposite said coupling member and means engaging the coupling, attachment plate and body section and operative to move said coupling relatively to the body section side wall to place said tongue into and out of securing position.

11. In outlet box construction, in combination, two body sections having adjacent edges and one of said sections having a perforation adjacent an edge thereof, a coupling on the inside of the other body section, said coupling having a tongue removably engageable in said perforation, and means operative to secure the coupling at all times in mounted position and to move the c'ouplin transversely on the body section on whlch it is mounted to place said ton ue into and out of clamping engagement with the other body section, whereby the body sections may be detachably secured together, said means including a hook at one end of the coupling -slidably engaging within a slot in the body section, and a screw engaging the body section and coupling toward its other end.

12. A gangable outlet box comprising an end piece, a body section and a removable coupling, disposed along said body section, said coupling carrying at one end a tongue projecting beyond an edge of said body section and engaging the end piece, and carrying at its upper edge a screw lug adapted to extend over the top edge of said body section, and separate means for removably securing said coupling to said body section.

13. A gangable outlet box comprising an end piece, a body section, and a removable coupling disposed along said body section, said coupling carrying near one end a hook projecting through an orifice in Wall of said a body section and carrying at its other end a tongue projecting beyond an edge of said section and engaging the end piece, said coupling having a screw-lug adapted to extend over the top edge of said body section, and separate means operative from without said body section for removably securing said coupling to said body section.

14. A gangable outlet box comprising an end piece, said end piece having an aperture adjacent an edge thereof, a body section, a removable coupling inside the body section, said coupling carrying at one end a tongue projecting beyond an edge of said body section and engaging said aperture in the end piece, and separate means for removably sesecuring means extending beyond the edge of said body section and overlapping an edge of the end piece to lock said end'piece and body section together when properly adjusted.

curing said coupling to said body section, said 15. A gangable outlet box comprising an end piece, said end piece having an aperture adjacent an edge thereof a body section, and a removable coupling, said coupling car ing at one end a tongue projectin beyon an edge of said body section an engaging in said aperture in the end piece, and carrying at its upper ed e a screw lug, and separate means to remova ly secure said coupllng to said body section, said securing means extendin beyond the edge of said body section an overlapping an edge of the end piece.

16. In outlet box construction, in combination, a body side having an aperture therein, an attachment plate having a series of notches along each side edge thereof and means for mounting said plate in various positions of adjustment on said body side, said means comprising a member on the inside of the body side having a hook adapted to re movably selectively engage with the notches at one edge of said plate, and adjustable means adapted to pass through the aperture in, said body side and to selectively engage with the notches on the other edge of the plate.

17. In outlet box construction, in combination, a body section, an end piece, a coupling member having a securing tongue extending therefrom, an attachment plate and adjustable means cooperating with said tongue for removably locking said body section, end piece, cou ling member and attachment plate toget er. a

18. In outlet box construction, in combination,'a side piece, a coupling member having a screw lug, an attachment plate, a hook on said coupling penetrating said side piece and engaging said plate, and a screw pene- 105 trating said side piece and in threaded engagement with said coupling and also engaging said attachment plate, whereby said coupling and attachment plate are removably 

